Nankinmachi is a bustling area filled with colorful lanterns, traditional Chinese architecture, and lively crowds, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
The area is decorated with vibrant red lanterns and banners that legitimately make you feel as you have entered 17th century China. Kobe Chinatown is the front for the Chinese community in the Kansai region.
Nankinmachi is famous for its wide variety of street food. Popular items include pork buns (butaman), dumplings (gyoza), spring rolls (harumaki), and many other delicious street food treats. Some stalls specialize in sweets, such as egg tarts and almond jelly, which are always a treat. In addition to food stalls, Chinatown has a large selection of restaurants offering everything from Cantonese and Sichuan dishes to Kobe beef in Chinese-style preparations.
The central plaza of Kobe Chinatown has large stone statues of the Chinese Zodiac. The plaza is quite often where visitors to Nankin-machi often gather to snack on the various treats they’ve picked up while walking the streets of the Chinatown.
To enjoy the district at its liveliest, visit in the early evening when the neon lights and lanterns are on. Kobe Chinatown is especially popular on weekends when the locals tend of visit, so consider visiting on a weekday if you want to avoid large crowds.
At each end of the main street, you’ll find two elaborate gates, or pai lou, marking the entrance to Chinatown. These gates are designed in a traditional Chinese style and are a popular photo spot for visitors.
The Kobe Chinatown, also known as the Kobe Nankin-Machi, is a historic region of the city of Kobe. Given it’s close proximity to the Kobe Port, Kobe Chinatown was settled in 1868 by a band of Chinese merchants shortly after the port was open to international trade. Today,
Hours and Admission
- Hours: 24/7 (Most Shops Close around 11:00pm)
- Free
- Official Website
Accessing the Kobe Chinatown
Kobe Chinatown is easily accessed by foot from Motomachi Station along the Hanshin Line. The walk is only about 2-5 minutes depending on which exit you departed the station from. Alternatively, Sannonmiya station is nearby, being only about a 10-15 minute walk. Sannomiya Station is a JR station, so if you have a JR pass, please use this station as the JR Rail pass will not cover the Hanshin Line.
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Where to Stay
Hostel Anchorage
Affordable place to stay with a range of lodging options, from capsule style rooms, to private rooms.
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kobe Sannomiya Chuo Dori
Highly rated, modern chain hotel in the heart of Kobe, with luxurious and spacious rooms.
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Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko
Hotel with stunning views of the Osaka bay and the Akashi Kaikyo bridge directly from your hotel room, mere minutes on foot from the bridge.
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